Recreation

The Haw River and its tributaries are enjoyed by those who love to hike, paddle, swim, fish, picnic, or simply sit by the water and experience its magic. The Haw River Assembly offers lots of ways that you can appreciate the beauty of the river and share that experience with others.

Haw River near Bynum

See Events for a calendar of activities including paddle trips, hikes along the Haw, river monitoring, and much more.

Volunteering to be part of our Projects is also a wonderful way to experience river magic and enjoy the fun and satisfaction of working with others to help protect and restore our river.

Hiking on the Haw

Haw River State Park- north of Greensboro, hiking trials in the headwaters of the Haw River, includes a beautiful boardwalk through wetlands to a view of the river. Map of Park trails. The Summit conference facilities are located here and available for group rentals.

Jordan Lake State Recreational Area Trails – there are many trails to hike at the 14,000 acre Jordan Lake (which was made by damming the Haw River). Many great opporutnities to see water birds here, including a hike to the Bald Eagle Overlook -where visitors can get a glimpse of these beautiful raptors in early morning or late afternoon, before sunset.

Paddling on the Haw

There’s something for everyone on this river – with flat water behind old mill dams to easy whitewater, andthe more challenging rapids in the lower river before it meets Jordan Lake. Please read the “Caution to Paddlers” below as well as information on guided trips, rentals and other resources to help you plan a paddling adventure. We recommend reading the Haw River section of Paddling Eastern North Carolina by Paul Ferguson.

Haw River Paddle Trail, Alamance County Section There are over a dozen access points for paddlers along the Haw River here- from Brooks Bridge in Gibsonville down to Saxapahaw . These stretches include moderate to intermediate white water as well as flat water paddling behind old mill dams.

Haw River Paddle Access in Chatham CountyBeginning at the Chicken Bridge access and taking out at the last rapids before entering Jordan Lake this part of the Haw River offers the best whitewater and beautiful scenery. For those seeking a calmer experience, the flatwater behind the Bynum dam offers a lovely paddle upriver and back, starting at the 15-501 Haw River bridge access area (make sure to put in and take out a safe distance above the dam)

CAUTION to PADDLERS:The Haw River is very dangerous at high flow. Go to the USGS gauge at Bynum on this website to check the current river level. Open boats such as canoes should not put in when the water is above 5.7 feet on the Bynum gauge. When the river is between 5.1 and 5.7, experience in controlling a boat in whitewater is necessary. Novices with little white water experience should stay out when the gauge is above normal flow -about 4.7 feet. ALWAYS WEAR A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE! Helmets are recommended in whitewater.Current U.S. Geological Survey Water Levels

The Carolina Canoe Club offers many paddling activities. Members of this paddling club (most of whom live in the Triangle) are familiar with the Haw River, and frequently run the sections from Chicken Bridge to Jordan Lake when there is enough water. Boaters plan both scheduled and unscheduled trips. The club offers spring paddling clinics, safety courses, newsletter, river clean-ups, a cruise schedule and an e-mail list.

Triad River Runners provides paddling classes, safety courses, a newsletter and river trips. Most members live in the Triad.

Central Carolina Paddlers promotes interest and fellowship in canoeing and kayaking activities, and provides information, education and training services to increase the safety, enjoyment, and skills of those paddling. The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Lee County Library in Sanford.

American Whitewater, a national paddling organization, maintains an online database of rivers in the United States, including three sections of the Haw:

The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. offers instruction in basic and whitewater canoeing, guided canoe trips along Alamance County stretches of the river, and canoe and recreational kayak rental on the Alamance County stretches. info@hawrivercanoe.com (336)260-6465.

Frog Hollow Outdoors provides residents and visitors of the Triangle Region and North Carolina a resource for canoe & kayak education, the exploration of nature, relaxation, adventure, self-discovery, and a greater overall connection with the outdoors. info@froghollowoutdoors.com 919-416-1200